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  Method and apparatus for indicating air filter maintenance is requiredUSPTO Application #: 20050240338Title: Method and apparatus for indicating air filter maintenance is required Abstract: A system and method for indicating required maintenance of an air filter used with an internal combustion engine. The system includes a throttle plate for adjusting an amount of airflow passing into cylinders of the engine. The system includes a throttle plate position sensor and a processor. The processor is responsive to a throttle plate position signal produced by the throttle plate sensor, for determining, as a function of such throttle plate position signal, whether the air filter is in need of maintenance. When a manifold absolute pressure sensor is provided, the processor is responsive to a first reading of such manifold absolute pressure sensor taken at a first time and at a second reading of the manifold absolute pressure sensor taken at a second time, for determining, as a function of a difference between such first and second readings whether the air filter is in need of maintenance. (end of abstract) Agent: Richard M. Sharkansky - Mashpee, MA, US Inventor: John Bernard Ardisana USPTO Applicaton #: 20050240338 - Class: 701114000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Data Processing: Vehicles, Navigation, And Relative Location, Vehicle Control, Guidance, Operation, Or Indication, With Indicator Or Control Of Power Plant (e.g., Performance), Internal-combustion Engine, Digital Or Programmed Data Processor, Backup, Interrupt, Reset, Or Test The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20050240338. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] This invention relates generally to methods and systems for indicating when an air filter used with an internal combustion engine requires maintenance. BACKGROUND [0002] As is known in the art, it is describable to provide an indication that the air filter used in an internal combustion engine is in need of maintenance, such as when it becomes clogged or sufficiently dirty to adversely effect engine performance. Further, any system and method used to provide such indication must be relatively inexpensive yet reliable enough to minimize false maintenance requirement indications. SUMMARY [0003] In accordance with the present invention, a system is provided for indicating required maintenance of an air filter used with an internal combustion engine. The system includes a throttle plate for adjusting an amount of airflow passing into cylinders of the engine. The system includes a throttle plate position sensor and a processor. The processor is responsive to a throttle plate position signal produced by the throttle plate sensor, for determining, as a function of such throttle plate position signal, whether the air filter is in need of maintenance. [0004] In one embodiment, the system includes a manifold absolute pressure sensor disposed between the throttle plate and the cylinders. The processor is responsive to the throttle plate position signal and a signal produced by the manifold absolute pressure sensor, for determining, as a function of such throttle plate position signal and manifold absolute pressure sensor, whether the air filter is in need of maintenance. [0005] In one embodiment, the system includes: a mass air flow sensor disposed downstream of the air filter. The processor includes a table storing a relationship between throttle plate position and expected air mass flow into the cylinders as a function of engine speed. The processor is responsive to a signal indicative of engine speed and the throttle plate position signal for determining from the table an expected airflow. The processor determines a difference between the determined expected air flow and a signal produced by the mass air flow sensor, for determining, as a function of such difference, whether the air filter is in need of maintenance. [0006] In one embodiment, the system includes a manifold absolute pressure sensor disposed between the throttle plate and the cylinders. The processor is responsive to a first reading of such manifold absolute pressure sensor taken at a first time and at a second reading of the manifold absolute pressure sensor taken at a second time, for determining, as a function of a difference between such first and second readings whether the air filter is in need of maintenance. [0007] In accordance with another feature of the invention, a system is provided for indicating required maintenance of an air filter used with an internal combustion engine. The system includes a manifold absolute pressure sensor and a processor. The processor is responsive to a first reading of such manifold absolute pressure sensor taken at a first time and at a second reading of the manifold absolute pressure sensor taken at a second time, for determining, as a function of a difference between such first and second readings whether the air filter is in need of maintenance. [0008] In accordance with yet another feature of the invention, a method is provided for indicating required maintenance of an air filter used with an internal combustion engine, such engine including a throttle plate for adjusting an amount of airflow passing into cylinders of the engine. The method includes determining, as a function of a throttle plate position signal produced by a throttle plate position sensor, whether the air filter is in need of maintenance. [0009] In one embodiment, the method determines required air filter maintenance as a function of the throttle plate position signal and a signal produced by an manifold absolute pressure sensor disposed between the throttle plate and the cylinders. [0010] In one embodiment, the method determines required air filter maintenance as a function a signal indicative of engine speed and the throttle plate position signal for determining an expected air flow, and a difference between the determined expected air flow and a signal produced by an mass air flow sensor. [0011] In one embodiment, the method determines required air filter maintenance as a function a difference between a first reading of a manifold absolute pressure sensor taken at a first time and at a second reading of the manifold absolute pressure sensor taken at a second time. [0012] In one embodiment the first reading is representative of barometric pressure. In one embodiment the first reading is taken at engine power-up. [0013] In accordance with still another feature of the invention, a method is provided for indicating required maintenance of an air filter used with an internal combustion engine. The method includes obtaining a first reading of a manifold absolute pressure sensor at a first time and at a second reading of the manifold absolute pressure sensor taken at a second time; and determining, as a function of a difference between such first and second readings whether the air filter is in need of maintenance. [0014] In one embodiment, the first reading is representative of barometric pressure. [0015] In one embodiment the first reading is taken at engine power-up. [0016] The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0017] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an internal combustion engine system having a system for indicating required maintenance of an air filter used with such engine according to the invention; [0018] FIGS. 2A and 2B taken together is a flow diagram of a process used in the system of FIG. 1 to indicate required maintenance of an air filter according to the invention; and [0019] FIG. 3 is a set of curves showing the relationship between expected air flow as a function of position of a throttle used in the engine of FIG. 1 and engine speed, such set of curves being stored as a look-up table in the engine system of FIG. 1 [0020] Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. Continue reading... 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